First Post, Nov 08 Session Meeting and Transformation

Welcome to the first Vandalia Vine blog post!  As the sub-header suggest,  a number of the staff will be periodically updating this blog to let you know what is happening at Vandalia.  Look here for info on upcoming events, sermons, and just general information about what's happening at Vandalia Pres.

This past summer the session decided to take on Transformation at the church. The purpose of Transformation, as defined by the office of Congregational Transformation of the PC(USA), is to find new ways to respond to God's calling in the midst of a changing culture and community.

Read more about it here: http://www.pcusa.org/transformation/.

One of the key steps in Transformation is to look at the demographics of the community around the church to help determine who you believe God is calling you to be in ministry with.  Last night the Session looked at the demographics for the area around Vandalia Pres. and, and much consideration, chose where the focus of our ministry will be in the community.  As we move forward on this we will continue to post update on this.  Until then, you'll find the highlights of the demographic study we used below:

Overall Highlights

-Many young adults, Few families

-slow growth comp. against US

-largest age groups 15-34 and 35-54

-mostly older houses (some rental)

-below average income comp. US

-high % A-A comp. US.

Population and Growth Report

-north slow growth

-south rapid growth

-overall continued growth: help in attracting new members

-some growth in different county/state: target groups

-53% not church goers: almost 20,000 people

-majority work locally: need to keep demographic range tight

Family Structure Report

-below US avg for % of families

-above US avg for single adults

-above US avg for separated, divorce

Age Group Report

-large % of pop 21-34

-slightly above US avg age 15-34

-above US avg age 25-34

-comparable to US in age 55 and up

Housing Type Report

-slightly above US avg Ind. Homes and below Apartments, Mobile Homes

-majority of older housing (+28 years) comp to US avg

-above US avg on renters (likely more transient)

-below US avg on owner occupied

-overall middle valued housing

Education Level Reports

-above US avg for college degree: implications for programing and types of sermons

-below US avg for post graduate or multiple degrees

-below US avg for private schooling : could indicate avg or below incomes

Economic Indicators

-solidly middle income 35,000-69,102

-above US avg in 15,000-29,999 and 30,000-49,000 ranges

-below US avg in 75,000 or more range

-above US avg for “Near Poverty”

-below US avg for White Collar and above in Blue Collar: compare with “Education Level”

Culture/Ethnicity Report

-bordering three regions with dominate groups 1) in blue: A-A 2) in red: White 3) in yellow: Other

-below US avg in all categories except A-A